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Letters: Granddaughter of Eddy County namesake dies

Posted:
04/18/2014 08:09:58 AM MDT

Granddaughter of Eddy County namesake dies

When I was battling cancer in Austin, Texas, some years back, I met Sister Mary Rose McPhee, who passed on April 14. She ran the Seton Medical Center, but I knew of her before I ever met her, though we didn't get a chance to talk about it. Sister Mary Rose McPhee, you see, was the granddaughter of James Arthur Eddy.

J.A. Eddy and his brother C.B. (Charles Bishop Eddy) were the namesakes of Eddy County, New Mexico. Eddy, the county seat was also named after them, though it later changed its name to Carlsbad. I learned about the Eddys and the McPhees when I was researching my book, The Goddess of War, published last year. The Eddy brothers are huge in the history of New Mexico. They established almost every town in central New Mexico from Alamogordo to Tucumcari. They built railroads, huge dams, enormous irrigation projects, coal mines, roads, and buildings. Sister Mary Rose was one of our last contacts with those who lived and developed the Old West.

Dennis McCown

Lockhart, Texas

Shirley deserves your vote for county commission

Jason Shirley is a true leader. He is a man of faith, integrity, and courage. He loves his family and the community. We need more leaders like Jason in New Mexico. I proudly endorse him and support him for election to the Eddy County Commission. -Jonathan Sena, Hobbs City Commissioner

Jonathan Sena

Hobbs

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Vote for Jason Shirley

Earlier this year Jason Shirley asked me to serve as the Treasurer for his coming County Commission election. I was a proud supporter of Jason when he ran for the City Council, so when he offered me this new job I quickly said yes. I have known Jason for several years, both personally and professionally. I support Jason because he is one of the most thoughtful and conscientious people I have ever met. These two traits are essential for any leader, but especially a leader dealing with the broad array of opinions, issues, and projects seen today in Eddy County. Our corner of the world is experiencing a fantastic economic boom and with the proper leadership we can turn today's bounty into long-term success. Let's not miss this chance. We need leaders like Jason to ensure that our home is safe and strong for the foreseeable future. Vote Jason Shirley for County Commission District 4.

Chris Jones

Treasurer, The Committee to Elect Jason Shirley

Time for Aggie athletics to move forward

It was with great sadness I read about the death of Sam Lacey. Lacey was already an Aggie great my first year at NMSU. I have vivid memories of being part of a packed house watching the NMSU-UCLA game on the big screen at the Pan Am. I was a student at a school playing in the Final Four. What an exciting time. So began my love of Aggie sports.

My Aggie pride and loyalty remain intact. My husband and I are football and basketball season ticket holders, support the Lady Aggies and have attended post-season play.

This last season, however, became a long, frustrating and disappointing season. This was to be "our" year. It wasn't. We stumbled time and again. To pack the Pan Am, we must adopt a winning concept. Some argue we cannot afford a competitive coach. I argue all good coaches start somewhere. Many are itching to make their mark. Winning a championship in a weak conference should no longer be our sole triumph. Aggie fans deserve more.

After seven years, it's time for NMSU to lasso a productive coach and an energetic AD. Let's hire people who do know what to do. Attendance speaks volumes; no one is listening. We've had great Aggie years. We've had excellent coaching. Kudos to our recruiters who are signing athletes with tremendous potential.

F. Rita Alirez, Las Cruces

Thoughtful editorial on monument proposal

I have been coming to the Sierra de Las Uvas and Potrillo mountains for years to hunt for mule deer and small game. But the area provides critical habitat for other game species, too, like pronghorn antelope, quail, and javelina. Wildlife habitat, protection of cultural and historical sites and economic benefits are just a few reasons sportsmen support the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument and since the Bureau of Land Management will manage the national monument, hunting will continue, and we will have the same access that we have today.

Sportsmen have been involved in protection efforts for almost 10 years. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich have cosponsored legislation that meets the needs of many different people, ranging from hikers and horseback riders to hunters and ranchers. The time has come to act, and I urge President Obama to designate the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument. Future generations of sportsmen will thank him for it.

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